X factor results, 10/10/10

"In no particular order," the results of the vote of The X Factor on 10 October 2010 were announced.  The two strongest singers from last night got announced first, then Wagner was in the middle, and we're left with an authentic group, Lady Gaga and Nicolo Festa.  That was a surprise - I thought there were at least two other acts that were more likely to be in the bottom three - but what was less surprising, and actually quite pleasing, is that Nicolo got booted straight out.  Hurrah!  It's quite probable that the British public didn't like his attitude or his character, or his personality (or any combination of the above) - a case of too much X Factor, by the looks of it.  And now we're left with FYD and Lady Gaga.  In a few weeks' time, we'll all need to consult Wikipedia to remember who they were, let alone what they looked like.

"In no particular order" is a phrase that's been used - and over-used - to suggest that the order of results is entirely random.  I'm not buying it.  The order is decided based on the sequence that will generate the most drama.  No, the results are not highest votes to lowest votes, but nor are they completely random.  The acts at the top of the voting table are announced in the first half of the list, while those who are close to the cut-off at the bottom are, unsurprisingly, left towards the end, in order to generate the most tension.

If there are two acts at the bottom of the list, then the 'in no particular order' sequence is not going to start off with the act that's third from bottom.  That makes the bottom two more obvious.

No, I'm not buying it, have never bought it, and can't be doing with it.  The sooner The X Factor, and all its myriad spin-offs, stop using it, the better.